The Effect of Ice Encasement and Protective Covers on the Winter Survival of Six Turfgrass Species on Putting Greens

Abstract

Ice encasement (IE) is the most economically important winter stress in Scandinavia; however, little is known about the IE tolerance of different turfgrass species and subspecies except that creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) is more tolerant than annual bluegrass (Poa annua L.). The objective of this study was to assess the impact of IE and two protective covers (plastic and plastic over a 10‐mm woven mat) on the winter survival of six cool‐season turfgrasses commonly used on golf greens. The experiment was conducted on a sand‐based green at Apelsvoll, Norway (60°42′ N, 10°51′ E) during the winters of 2011–2012 and 2012–2013. Turfgrass samples (8 cm in diameter, 10 cm deep) were removed from the plots at the time of cover installation and throughout the winter. The samples were potted and percent live turfgrass cover assessed after 21 d of regrowth in a growth chamber. Percent turfgrass cover, percent disease, and turfgrass quality were also registered in the field plots in spring. Results indicated that velvet bentgrass (Agrostis canina L.) had superior tolerance to IE, surviving for 98 and 119 d of IE during the winters of 2011–2012 and 2012–2013, respectively. The order of IE tolerance in 2012–2013 was: velvet bentgrass > creeping bentgrass > Chewing's fescue (Festuca. rubra L. ssp. commutata), slender creeping red fescue (F. rubra L. ssp. litoralis) ≥ colonial bentgrass (A. capillaris) > annual bluegrass. Colonial bentgrass responded negatively to both protective covers in 2012 due to the development of Microdocium nivale. None of the species benefited from the plastic cover alone, compared with natural snow conditions. Annual bluegrass was the only species that benefited from plastic over a woven mat.

Mechanisms of Environmental Stress Tolerance in Turfgrass

“…The negative effects of cold stress, including growth and development inhibition and reduced cell membrane stability, were also observed in cool-season turfgrass, such as perennial ryegrass [156]. Under cold conditions, growth was inhibited and turf quality decreased in three bentgrass species, two fine fescue species, and annual bluegrass [157].…”

Ethylene regulatory treatment effects on annual bluegrass survival of freezing temperature and ice cover

“…The perennial form of annual bluegrass ( Poa annua var reptans ) is a turfgrass putting green and fairway species that is susceptible to damage from ice cover. In various studies, annual bluegrass has been reported to survive an average of 20 to 75 d of ice cover (Aamalid et al., ; Beard, ; Tompkins et al., ; Waalen, Espevig, Kvalbein, & Aamlid, ). In a freezer‐based experiment, annual bluegrass necrosis occurred in 45 d at −4°C under a 1.27‐cm nonporous ice layer (Beard, ).…”

Plant growth regulator effects on winter hardiness of annual bluegrass putting green turf

“…This is especially evident when comparing winter survival of creeping bentgrass ( Agrostis stolonifera L.), a species that is often found in polystands with annual bluegrass but exhibits excellent freezing tolerance. The most common causes for winterkill of annual bluegrass include direct low temperature kill, and ice‐associated issues including anoxia and crown hydration (Tompkins, Ross, & Moroz, 2000; Tompkins et al., 2004; Aamlid, Landschoot, & Huff, 2009; Bertrand et al., 2009; Waalen, Espevig, Kvalbein, & Aamlid, 2017).…”